Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1887-09-23
BROUGHT DOWN BY RUM.
Sad story Of the Man Who Robbed DE
Miner.


Miner.
The Boston Herald recently stated that a
man, presuming upon an acquaintance, had
introduced himself at the residence Of Rev
Dr. Miner Of Boston, and, being left alone
for a few minutes in the reverend gentle
mans parlor, had stolen silver vase and
disappeared. The sequel to this story was
recently developed when the robbery of an
overcoat was reported, and the police seeing
that this mans description answered
that Of the man who committed the
theft, arrested him. From papers in his
pockets it appeared that his name was
Charles s. Carter, and very soon afterward
the officer established the fact that he was
the man who had robbed DR.. Miner. The
silver vase was found at a gentlemens fur
niShing goods store on Green street, where he
had sold it for S.. The vase was engraved,
MRS. A. A. Miner, from the ladies of the
First Universalist parish, San Francisco. "
Carriers letters showed that he had been a
Washington journalist and had been at one
time connected with Bradstreet's agency in
New York On account &C his fight against
the rum habit, which he had contracted, ho
ELECTED sympathy and help and had given
him letter of Endorsement, which also was
found on him. The unfortunate man was
badly shaken by drink. This letter was
found among the others, telling the story Of
his unhappy existence:
RAPID TRANSIT HOTEL,
BowERY, NEW YORK, Aug. Is, 1887.
My Dear Sir: Pardon me if appeal to you
to help poor downfallen drunkard, for such
| am, and an outcaSt from all my
friends have repeatedly, in my own
strength, endeavored 10 REFORM but in each
case my good resolutions have been broken
and my terrible appetite has returned with
such additional strength as to lead me nearer
and nearer to q drunkards grave, until now
have become in such position that | can
no longer. trust myself, and | at last have
been brought to that sense of my entire help
lessness in any other strength except it comes
from the divine power above. When look
back over my life and SEQ what rum
has done for me in the past seven years.
have been tempted on several occasions to
end my miserable earthly career. Seven
years ago had wife and beautiful daugh-
ter and beautiful home, surrounded by
every luxury and comfort that could possi-
| bly, make life pleasant, and with an income
of 5000 per year to support that home. To-
day have no home, I have no wife, have
no daughter, have not even decent suit Of
clothes with which to apply for position.
| am about as near destitution as a person
can be and exist, and my present position has
been secured through rum. OH do please in
your mission pray for me. l am asking God
hourly to help me, and sincerely believe no
has kept me from temptation Of strong
drink for the past week. Ohl please pray
that he may continue TO help me in life Of
sobriety l have record in New York that
| should not be afraid to refer to If it were
not for my past Incorporate life. That has
been my besetting sin, and could but re-
establish myself (as | was once) a sober man,
] should again be restored to the bosom of
my dear family. refrain from signing my
name to this, but shall be pleased to give it
to you with other details at a personal inter
view if desired. Yours, in sincere repent
ance, A VICTIM OF Rum.
Among the letters was an old, we'll worn,
faded photograph of an intelligent-looking
| woman, the wife to whom he referred in this
letter The police did not think that the
man was at heart thief. He probably
went to Mr.. Miners with II good object in
view, but, being left alone, the old tempta-
tion was too strong for him, and he stole the
vase. Though he received IS for it he hadn't
any money in his pocket when arrested.